Offset eyeglasses clasp

ABSTRACT

An eyeglasses clasp for maintaining eyeglasses on a clothing material. The clasp comprises at least one magnetic means engaged with the eyeglasses temple bars that align with each other but not with the eyeglasses frame body midpoint when the temple bars are closed. The magnets are in attractive magnetic communication when the temple bars are closed. The clasp is used by pivoting one of the temple bars into the closed position. The frame body and closed temple bar are then positioned on one side of a clothing material. The second temple bar is then pivoted into the closed position such that it is on the other side of the clothing material. With the temple bars closed, the magnets are in attractive magnetic communication and impart a gripping force on the article of clothing. The gripping force substantially prevents relative movement between the temple bars and the clothing material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improved eyeglasses. More particularly,it relates to an offset eyeglasses clasp for maintaining the eyeglassesin a pocket or on another portion of a clothing material when theeyeglasses are not in use.

2. Description of the Related Art

Typical eyeglasses consist of a frame body that houses two lenses oneither side of a nose piece. Attached to the frame body are two templebars that extend from two ends of the frame body. The temple bars pivotbetween an open position perpendicular with the frame body and a closedposition parallel with the frame body. The temple bars and nose piecesupport the frame on the head of the wearer.

Individuals often remove their eyeglasses temporarily. They may put themdown and not recall where, they may hang them around their neck wherethey bounce against their chest, or they may put them in a pocket andhave them fall out and/or get damaged.

To solve this problem, the prior art teaches using mechanical clasps toclip eyeglasses to a garment worn by the user. These are cumbersome and,like all mechanical clasps, may come loose. Some mechanical clasps alsodepend on the availability of a shirt pocket, a cap visor, belt, holder,straps, or the like. In addition, clips may work well initially, butfatigue can cause metal clips to weaken and lose their ability to holdeyeglasses securely. Moreover, clips can break, thereby causing theeyeglasses to come loose, fall and break, or be lost. U.S. Pat. No.6,017,120 to McCormick teaches a mechanical clip attached to the hingedend of the temple bars. Eyeglasses using such mechanical clips may notbe securely held in place when inverted, such as when a person bendsover at the waist. Another problem with such clips arises when a personin a sitting position bends forward, and the eyeglasses are pushedupward while clasped inside a shirt pocket. In that situation, the clipmay be pushed up from the bottom of the pocket, thereby disengaging theclip and causing the eyeglasses to fall from the pocket.

The use of magnets on eyeglass frames for various purposes is also wellknown in the art. For example, a number of eyeglass frames have magnetsthat magnetize the wearer for health benefits. Other eyeglass frames usemagnets to hold eyeglass frame sections together, thereby facilitatingdisassembly and reassembly in a new configuration, with auxiliaryframes, lenses, or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,273 B11 to Dupraz etal. teaches the use of magnets on eyeglass frames to temporarily affixthe eyeglasses on a support article having magnetic means. Because themagnets in Dupraz et al. are attached to the temple bar near the hinges,however, its teaching cannot be used as a magnetic clasp, nor was itintended as such.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of the eyeglasses clasp comprises magnets engaged withthe temple bars of eyeglasses. The magnets are located differentdistances away from the eyeglasse frame body on each temple bar suchthat they align with each other but not with the frame body midpointwhen in the closed position. The magnets are in attractive magneticcommunication at least when the temple bars are in the closed position.The magnets include a hollow space extending through the magnets that islarge enough to slide the magnets onto the temple bars.

The clasp is typically used by providing one of the temple bars into theclosed position. The frame bidy and closed temple bar are thenpositioned on one side of a clothing material, such as, by waynon-limiting example only, a dhirt pocket or sleeve. The second templebar is then pivoted into the closed position such that it is on theother side of the clothing material. The magnets are then in attractivemagnetic communication and impact a gripping force on the clothingmaterial. The gripping force substantially prevents relative movementbetween the temple bars and the clothing material. The offset magneticclasp thereby eliminates the disadvantages of a mechanical clip whileintroducing the advantage of a strong, versatile clasp that can beeasily opened and closed anywhere the magnets are capable of being instrong enouph attractive magnetic communication through the clothingmaterial.

In another embodiment of the eyeglasses, there is more than one magneton one of the temple bars, with a corresponding number of magnets on theother tenple bar.

In another embodiment of the eyeglasses, magnets engage a specializedconfiguration of the temple bars themselves.

In another embodiment, the magnets on the temple bars each compris two“half” magnets on either side of the temple bar. The magnets engage thetemple bars by being in attractive magnetic communication with eachother. The “half” magnets may also engage the temple bars with the useof an adhesive and be held in place by shrink-wrap tubing. The halfmagnets may also engage the temple bars by the use of a screw.

In another embodiment, at least one of the magnets is rectangular and ispositioned on top of the temple bar. The location of one of the magnetson top of the temple bar reduces impact wear on the magnets when theyare pivoted to the closed position.

The embodiments of the eyeglasses clasp may be in the form of completeeyeglasses, temple bars with magnetic means attached thereto, or a kitcomprising a magnetic means and a means of attaching the magnetic meansto temple bars, with or without temple bars or other eyeglasscomponents.

Thus, the embodiments comprise a combination of features and advantagesthat enable them to overcome various problems of prior devices. Thevarious characteristics described above, as well as other features, willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading thefollowing detailed description of the embodiments, and by referring tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more detailed description of the embodiments, reference will nowbe made to the following accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1A is a bottom view of eyeglasses incorporating an eyeglasses claspwith temple bars pivoted in the open position as when the eyeglasses areworn;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the eyeglasses incorporating aneyeglasses clasp with one of the temple bars pivoted into the closedposition;

FIG. 1C is a side view of the eyeglasses incorporating an eyeglassesclasp with one of the temple bars pivoted into the closed position;

FIG. 1D is a bottom view of the eyeglasses incorporating an eyeglassesclasp with the temple bars pivoted into the closed position;

FIG. 2A is a bottom view of another embodiment of the eyeglasses clasp.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the eyeglasses incorporating theeyeglasses clasp of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a side view of another embodiment of the eyeglasses claspshowing an eyeglasses temple bar with the magnet held in a semi-loop inthe temple bar;

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating theeyeglasses clasp of FIG. 3A with the magnet held in a semi-loop in thetemple bar;

FIG. 3C is a rear view of eyeglasses temple bars pivoted in the closedposition and incorporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIG. 3A with themagnet held in a loop in the temple bar;

FIG. 3D is a bottom view of the eyeglasses temple bars pivoted in theclosed position and incorporating the eyeglasses clasp of FIG. 3A withthe magnet held in a loop in the temple bar;

FIG. 4A is a side view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating aneyeglasses clasp constructed in accordance with another embodiment ofthe eyeglasses clasp with the magnet in shrink-wrap tubing;

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating theeyeglasses clasp of FIG. 4A with the magnet in shrink-wrap tubing;

FIG. 4C is a top view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating theeyeglasses clasp of FIG. 4A with the magnet affixed to the temple barwith a small screw;

FIG. 4D is a side view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating theeyeglasses clasp of FIG. 4A with the magnet affixed to the temple barwith a small screw;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporatinganother embodiment of an eyeglasses clasp with a rectangular magnet;

FIG. 5B is a side view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating theeyeglasses clasp of FIG. 5A with a rectangular magnet;

FIG. 5C is a top view of an eyeglasses temple bar incorporating theeyeglasses clasp of FIG. 5A with a rectangular magnet;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the eyeglasses incorporating the eyeglassesclasp with the temple bars pivoted in the closed position; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the eyeglasses incorporating the eyeglassesclasp with the temple bars pivoted in the closed position depicting useof the clasp with clothing material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to an eyeglasses clasp and is susceptibleto embodiments of different forms. The drawings and the descriptionbelow disclose in detail specific embodiments of the present inventionwith the understanding that this disclosure is to be considered anexemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intendedto limit the invention to that illustrated and described in thedisclosure. Further, it is to be fully recognized that the differentteachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separatelyor in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1A-1D, there is shown an embodiment of theeyeglasses clasp 104. A right temple bar 100 and a left temple bar 102are pivotally attached to an eyeglasses frame body 114 by any suitablemeans. Typically, the temple bars 102, 103 are pivotally attached byspring action hinges well known in the art. The temple bars 100, 102pivot between an open position perpendicular to the eyeglasses framebody 114 and a closed position parallel to the frame body 114. When inthe open position, the temple bars form a squared “U” shape asillustrated in FIG. 1A. In addition, the temple bar 100 includes anearpiece 120 and the temple bar 102 includes an earpiece 122. The framebody 114 also includes a nose piece 112 and has a midpoint 110. A firstmagnetic means 106 engages the temple bar 100 and a second magneticmeans 108 engages the temple bar 102 such that the polarity of themagnetic means 106, 108 directed outside the “U” in FIG. 1A is the same.The magnetic means 106, 108 are located different distances away fromthe eyeglasses frame body 114 on the temple bars 100, 102 such that theyalign with each other but not with the eyeglasses frame body midpoint110 when the temple bars 100, 102 are in the closed position. Thus, asillustrated in FIG. 1D, when temple bars 100, 102 are pivoted closed,the magnetic means 106, 108 are in attractive magnetic communicationcreated by the opposite poles of the magnetic means 106, 108. FIG. 1Dshows left temple bar 102 folded on the inside of right temple bar 100.The South pole side 116 of the magnetic means 106 thus faces and alignswith the North pole side 118 of the magnetic means 108, thereby holdingthe temple bars securely in the closed position.

The means for attaching the magnetic means 106, 108 to the temple bars100, 102 may depend on the material from which the temple bars are made.It should be appreciated that any suitable method may be used forengaging the magnetic means with the temple bars. Such attachment meansfor various temple bar materials include, by way of non-limitingexample, grooved means, adhesive means, shrink-wrap tubing, hingedclips, metal clamps, threaded hardware, and the like, and/or acombination thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the magnetic means 106,108 have a hollow space extending through the magnetic means that islarge enough to fit over the temple bars 100, 102. The hollow magneticmeans are typically installed by removing the earpieces 120, 122,sliding the hollow magnetic means onto the temple bars 100, 102, andthen replacing the earpieces 120, 122. In addition, the magnetic means106, 108 may be protected from corrosion by a number of means, includingby way of non-limiting example, coatings of zinc, nickel, copper, gold,different colored epoxy, aluminum chromate, and/or different types ofpaint.

The eyeglasses clasp 104 is not limited to a complete set of eyeglasses,but may also comprise temple bars with magnetic means attached thereto,or a kit comprising a magnetic means and a means of attaching themagnetic means to temple bars, with or without temple bars or othereyeglass components therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown an embodiment of aneyeglasses clasp 204. The clasp 204 includes a right temple bar 200 anda left temple bar 202 pivotally attached to an eyeglasses frame body 214by any suitable means. Typically, the temple bars 202, 203 are pivotallyattached by spring action hinges well known in the art. The temple bars200, 202 pivot between an open position perpendicular to the eyeglassesframe body 214 and a closed position parallel to the frame body 214.When in the open position, the temple bars form a squared “U” shape asillustrated in FIG. 2A. In addition, the temple bar 200 includes anearpiece 220 and the temple bar 202 includes an earpiece 222. The framebody 214 also includes a nose piece 212 and has a midpoint 210. A firstmagnetic means 206 engages the temple bar 200 and a second magneticmeans 208 engages the temple bar 202 such that the polarity of themagnetic means 206, 208 directed outside the “U” in FIG. 2A is the same.The magnetic means 206, 208 are located different distances away fromthe eyeglasses frame body 214 on the temple bars 200, 202 such that theyalign with each other but not with the eyeglasses frame body midpoint210 when the temple bars 200, 202 are in the closed position. Similarly,a third magnetic means 207 engages the temple bar 200 and a fourthmagnetic means 209 engages the temple bar 202 such that the polarity ofthe third and fourth magnetic means 207, 209 is directed outside the “U”in FIG. 2A is the same. The third and fourth magnetic means 207, 209 arelocated different distances away from the eyeglasses frame body 214 onthe temple bars 200, 202 such that they align with each other but notwith the frame body midpoint 210 when the temple bars 200, 202 are inthe closed position. Thus, when the temple bars 200, 202 are pivotedclosed, the magnetic means 206, 208 are in attractive magneticcommunication created by the opposite poles of the magnetic means 206,208, thereby holding the temple bars 200, 202 securely in the closedposition. Similarly, when the temple bars 200, 202 are pivoted closed,the magnetic means 207, 209 are in attractive magnetic communicationcreated by the opposite poles of the magnetic means 207, 209, therebyalso holding the temple bars 200, 202 securely in the closed position.

The eyeglasses clasp 204 is not limited to a complete set of eyeglasses,but may also comprise temple bars with magnetic means attached thereto,or a kit comprising a magnetic means and a means of attaching themagnetic means to temple bars, with or without temple bars or othereyeglass components therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, there is shown the temple bars 304, 310,and 316 of other embodiments of the eyeglasses clasp 104. FIGS. 3A and3B show the magnetic means 300 engaged with the temple bar 304 by asemi-loop 302 in the temple bar 304. In FIGS. 3C and 3D, a first magnet306 engages full loop 308 in the temple bar 310, and a second magnet 312engages full loop 314 of the temple bar 316. The polarity of magnets306, 312 are opposite when the temple bars 310, 316 are in the closedposition as shown in FIG. 3D. Thus, the magnets 306, 312 are attractedto each other by the magnetic attraction created by their oppositepoles. The semi-loop 302 of the temple bar 304 and the full loop 308 ofthe temple bars 310, 316 are located such that the magnets 300, 306, 312on respective temple bars align with each other when the temple bars arein the closed position, but not with the midpoint 110 of nose piece 112as shown in FIG. 1D. The size of the semi-loop 302 and the full loops308, 314 may be selected to accommodate the diameter of magnets 300,306, and 312 respectively, which may be held in place by adhesive means,or by any other suitable means.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D, the means for engaging the magnetic meansmay require modification of existing eyeglasses temple bars toaccommodate attachment of a magnet. Thus, the eyeglasses clasp is notlimited to a complete set of eyeglasses, but may also comprise templebars with magnetic means attached thereto, or a kit comprising amagnetic means and a means of attaching the magnetic means to templebars, with or without temple bars or other eyeglass components therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4E, there is shown another embodiment of theeyeglasses clasp 412. In FIG. 4A, a first half magnet 400 and a secondhalf magnet 402 engage the temple bar 408 of the frame body 426. A thirdhalf magnet 404 and a fourth half magnet 406 engage the temple bar 410.Half magnets 400, 402 engage the left temple bar 408 such that the Northpole side 414 of the half magnet 400 faces and aligns with the Southpole side 416 of the half magnet 402. Similarly, the half magnets 404,406 engage the right temple bar 410 such that the North pole side 418 ofthe half magnet 406 faces and aligns with the South pole side 420 of thehalf magnet 404. As in FIG. 1, half magnets 400, 402, 404, and 406 arepositioned at different lengths on the temple bars 408, 410 from theframe body 426 such that when the temple bars 408, 410 are closed, thehalf magnets 400, 402, 404, and 406 align with each other but not withthe midpoint 422 of the frame body 426. In FIGS. 4B and 4C, the halfmagnets 400, 402 engage the temple bar 408 with shrink-wrap tubing 428.However, in FIGS. 4D and 4E, the half magnets 404, 406 engage the templebar 410 with a screw 430. As described above, it should be appreciatedthat various engagement means suitable for the material from whichtemple bars 408 and 410 is made may be used.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4E, the temple bars 408, 410 do not have tobe modified for there to be magnetic attraction between the magneticmeans, regardless of which temple bar is closed first. Thus, thisembodiment may comprise two temple bars with magnetic means, or, whensold as a kit, this embodiment may comprise four magnets and a means ofattaching pairs of the magnets to existing temple bars.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, there is shown a temple bar 502 of anotherembodiment of the eyeglasses clasp 104. Clasp 104 comprises arectangular magnet 500 attached to the temple bar 502 and magnetic means106 on the temple bar 100 shown in FIG. 1. The magnet 500 aligns withthe magnetic means 106 but does not align with the frame body midpoint110 when the temple bar 502 is pivoted into the closed position. Thepolarity of the magnet 500 is such that the magnet 500 is attracted tothe magnetic means 106 on the temple bar 100 in FIG. 1 when both templebars 100, 502 are pivoted in the closed position. The magnet 500 isrectangular and located on the top of the temple bar 502 to protect themagnet 500 from coming into striking contact with magnetic means 106when the temple bars, 100, 502 are pivoted into the closed position. Bynot coming into striking contact, the magnetic means 106 and the magnet500 are not as susceptible to being damaged or disengaged from thetemple bars 100, 502. It should be appreciated that the magnetic means106 and magnet 500 may engage either temple bar and still be within thescope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the left temple bar 600 and the right templebar 602 of the eyeglasses clasp 104 are pivoted into the closedposition. The left temple bar 600 is positioned outside a clothingmaterial 604. The right temple bar 602 is positioned inside the clothingmaterial 604. Thus, the clothing material 604 is located between thetemple bars 600, 602. During use, the wearer pivots one of the templebars 600, 602 into the closed position. The wearer then positions theeyeglasses frame body 114 and the closed temple bar on one side of theclothing material 604. The wearer then pivots the other temple bar intothe closed position such that it is on the other side of the clothingmaterial 604. The South pole side 606 of the magnetic means 608 facesand aligns with the North pole side 610 of magnetic means 612. Althoughon either side of clothing material 604, the magnetic means 608, 612 arein attractive magnetic communication with each other. The attractivemagnetic communication is strong enough to impart a gripping force onthe clothing material 604, thereby holding the eyeglasses 614 securelyclasped to clothing material 604. The gripping force substantiallyprevents relative movement between the temple bars 600, 602 and theclothing material 604 while the temple bars 600, 602 are in the closedposition. The magnetic means 608, 612 are strong enough to keep theeyeglasses 614 in place even when the eyeglasses 614 are jarred. Themagnetic means 608, 612 are also able to maintain this strength becausethe magnetic flux is not diminished by repeated use. It should beappreciated that either temple bar 600, 602 may be pivoted into theclosed position before the other and still be within the scope of theinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown how the eyeglasses clasp 104clasps eyeglasses 708 to a clothing material 712 by magneticallyclasping to any portion of the clothing material 712. In FIG. 7,opposite pole magnetic attracting forces emanate from the magnetic means700, 702 attached to the temple bars 704, 706, respectively. Clasping isachieved by folding the temple bar 706 and sliding the temple bar 706and the frame body 714 into a pocket, lapel, neck collar, or the like.The wearer then folds the temple bar 704 outside the garment 710,thereby placing the temple bars 704, 706 in attractive magneticcommunication through the clothing material 712. Alternatively, claspingmay be achieved by sliding either of the temple bars 704, 706 into apocket, lapel, neck collar, or the like, and folding the frame body 714and the other temple bar outside of the garment 710. In addition,clasping may be achieved by folding the temple bar 704 and sliding thetemple bar 704 and the frame body 714 into the garment 710. The wearerthen folds the temple bar 706 outside the garment 710. It should beappreciated that either temple bar 704, 706 may be pivoted into theclosed position before the other and still be within the scope of theinvention.

The present invention eliminates difficulties associated with using asupport article by, in effect, using the eyeglasses themselves as ameans for clasping onto any material through which the magnets mayremain in attractive magnetic communication. For example, a separatesupport article incorporated in clothing would be cumbersome in washersand dryers, difficult to iron, and alter the appearance of the garmentwhereas the present invention has none of these disadvantages. Inaddition, unlike mechanical clips that attach to clothing described inthe prior art, the present invention is not limited by the requirementthat such clips attach to the edge of material. Instead, the clasp ofthe present invention attaches anywhere through material so that only ahinged edge of the frame body is at the edge of the material. Thus, forexample, the present invention permits eyeglasses to be clasped moredeeply in a pocket, whereas prior art clips require a greater portion ofthe eyeglasses to protrude outside the pocket. Moreover, the eyeglassesstay attached regardless of the position in which the clothing materialedge is placed.

EXAMPLE 1

The 4-magnet embodiment in FIGS. 4A-4E wherein the magnets 400, 402,404, 406 are MGO grade 35 Neodymium (Nd—Fe—B) disks 0.25″ diameter and0.1″ thick The shrink-wrap tubing has an OD of 0.350″ before shrinking,a wall thickness of 0.020″, and is parallel to the temple bars 308, 310.The magnets 400, 402, 404, 406 exhibit a field of 4 kG and require aload of 400 gm for un-clasping.

EXAMPLE 2

The 4-magnet embodiment in FIGS. 4A-4E wherein the magnets 400, 402,404, 406 are MGO grade 35 Neodymium disks 0.25″ diameter and 0.1″ thick.The shrink-wrap tubing has an OD of 0.350″ before shrinking, a wallthickness of 0.010″, and is perpendicular to the temple bars 408, 410.The magnets exhibit a field of 6 kG and require a load of 600 gm forun-clasping.

While specific embodiments have been shown and described, modificationscan be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spiritor teaching of this invention. The embodiments as described areexemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modificationsof the system and apparatus are possible and are within the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to theembodiments described, but is only limited by the claims that follow,the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matterof the claims.

1. Eyeglasses comprising: a frame body having a midpoint; a first templebar pivotally engaged to a first end of the frame body; a second templebar pivotally engaged to a second end of the frame body; at least onefirst magnetic means engaged with the first temple bar at a distancefrom the frame body first end such that the first magnetic means doesnot align with the frame body midpoint when the first temple bar ispivoted closed; at least one second magnetic means engaged with thesecond temple bar at a distance from the frame body second end such thatthe second magnetic means aligns with a corresponding first magneticmeans when the second temple bar is pivoted closed; wherein the secondmagnetic means is in attractive magnetic communication with thecorresponding first magnetic means at least when the temple bars arepivoted closed; and wherein the corresponding first and second magneticmeans remain in attractive magnetic communication when the temple barsare closed but separated by clothing material, the attractive magneticcommunication imparting a gripping force on the clothing materialsufficient enough to substantially prevent relative movement between thetemple bars and the clothing material. 2-69. (canceled)
 70. Eyeglassescomprising: a frame body having a midpoint; a first temple bar pivotallyengaged to a first end of the frame body; a second temple bar pivotallyengaged to a second end of the frame body; at least one first magnetengaged with the first temple bar at a distance from the frame bodyfirst end such that the first magnet does not align with the frame bodymidpoint when the first temple bar is pivoted closed, said first templebar positioned through said first magnet; at least one second magnetwith the second temple bar at a distance from the frame body second endsuch that the second magnet aligns with a corresponding first magnetwhen the second temple bar is pivoted closed, said second temple barpositioned through said second magnet; wherein the second magnet is inattractive magnetic communication with the corresponding first magnet atleast when the temple bars are pivoted closed; and wherein thecorresponding first and second magnet remain in attractive magneticcommunication when the temple bars are closed but separated by clothingmaterial, the attractive magnetic communication imparting a grippingforce on the clothing material sufficient enough to substantiallyprevent relative movement between the temple bars and the clothingmaterial.
 71. The eyeglasses of claim 70, wherein: each first magnetcomprises a first half magnet engaged with a first side of the firsttemple bar and a second half magnet engaged with a second side of thefirst temple bar in attractive magnetic communication with thecorresponding first half magnet; and each second magnet comprises athird half magnet engaged with a first side of the second temple bar anda fourth half magnet engaged with a second side of the second temple barin attractive magnetic communication with the corresponding third halfmagnet.
 72. The eyeglasses of claim 70, wherein the first and secondmagnets engage the temple bars with an adhesive.
 73. The eyeglasses ofclaim 70, wherein the magnetic means engage the temple bars withshrink-wrap tubing.
 74. The eyeglasses of claim 70, wherein the firstand second magnets engage the temple bars with an adhesive and are heldin place with shrink-wrap tubing.
 75. The eyeglasses of claim 74,wherein the tubing has a 0.020′ OD and has a 0.350′ OD before shrinking.76. The eyeglass of claim 70, wherein the first and second magnetsengage the temple bars with a screw.
 77. The eyeglasses of claim 70,wherein the first and second magnets are MGO grade 35 Neodymium.
 78. Theeyeglasses of claim 70, wherein the first and second magnets are coveredwith a coating to prevent rust.
 79. The eyeglasses of claim 70, whereinthe first and second magnets include a hollow passage extending throughthe magnets for engaging the temple bars.
 80. The eyeglasses of claim70, wherein the first and second magnet engage the temple bars incircular frames.
 81. The eyeglasses of claim 80, wherein the circularframes are loops.
 82. The eyeglasses of claim 80, wherein the circularframes are semi-loops.
 83. The eyeglasses of claim 70, wherein the firstand second magnets are cylindrical in shape.
 84. The eyeglasses of claim70, wherein the first and second magnets are rectangular in shape.
 85. Aclasp for eyeglasses, the eyeglasses having a frame body with first andsecond ends and a midpoint, a first temple bar, and a second temple bar,the temple bars being pivotally engaged with the frame body at the frameends, the clasp comprising: at least one first magnet engageable withthe first temple bar at a distance from the frame body first end suchthat the first magnet does not align with the frame body midpoint whenthe first temple bar is pivoted closed, said first temple bar positionedthrough said first magnet; at least one second magnet engageable withthe second temple bar at a distance from the optical frame body secondend such that the second magnet aligns with a corresponding first magnetwhen the second temple bar is pivoted closed, said second temple barpositioned through second magnet; wherein the second magnet is inattractive magnetic communication with the corresponding first magnet atleast when the temple bars are pivoted closed; and wherein thecorresponding first and second magnets remain in attractive magneticcommunication when the temple bars are closed but separated by clothingmaterial, the attractive magnetic communication imparting a grippingforce on the clothing material sufficient enough to substantiallyprevent relative movement between the temple bars and the clothingmaterial.
 86. The eyeglasses of claim 85, wherein: each first magnetcomprises a first half magnet engaged with a first side of the firsttemple bar and a second half magnet engaged with a second side of thefirst temple bar in attractive magnetic communication with thecorresponding first half magnet; and each second magnet comprises athird half magnet engaged with a first side of the second temple bar anda fourth half magnet engaged with a second side of the second temple barin attractive magnetic communication with the corresponding third halfmagnet.
 87. The clasp of claim 85, wherein the first and second magnetsengage the temple bars with an adhesive.
 88. The clasp of claim 85,wherein the magnetic means engage the temple bars with shrink-wraptubing.
 89. The clasp of claim 88, wherein the tubing has a 0.020′ ODand has a 0.350′ OD before shrinking.
 90. The clasp of claim 85, whereinthe first and second magnets engage the temple bars with an adhesive andare held in place with shrink-wrap tubing.
 91. The clasp of claim 85,wherein the first and second magnets engage the temple bars with ascrew.
 92. The clasp of claim 85, wherein the first and second magnetsare MGO grade 35 Neodymium.
 93. The clasp of claim 85, wherein the firstand second magnets are covered with a coating to prevent rust.
 94. Theclasp of claim 85, wherein the first and second magnets include a hollowpassage extending through the magnets for engaging the temple bars. 95.The clasp of claim 85, wherein the first and second magnet engage thetemple bars in circular frames.
 96. The clasp of claim 95, wherein thecircular frames are loops.
 97. The clasp of claim 95, wherein thecircular frames are semi-loops.
 98. The clasp of claim 85, wherein thefirst and second magnets are cylindrical in shape.
 99. The clasp ofclaim 85, wherein the first and second magnets are rectangular in shape.